Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A Presidential Decree "On measures to improve and expand the coverage of the otorhinolaryngological service" was adopted.

The Program of measures for the development of the otorhinolaryngological service in 2023–2026 has been approved. In 2023-2024, it is planned to allocate US$17 million to equip the departments of otorhinolaryngology with the necessary medical equipment for multidisciplinary central polyclinics of districts (cities), multidisciplinary medical centers of Karakalpakstan and regions, children’s multidisciplinary medical centers, hospitals and clinics of medical higher educational institutions. Funds are allocated by the Economic Development and Cooperation Fund of the Eximbank of the Republic of Korea (EDCF).

In 2024–2025, US$8.6 million will be allocated from the State Budget for:

- equipping scientific laboratories "Physiology and pathology of the organs of the upper respiratory tract", "Physiology and pathology of the organs of hearing and balance", "Phoniatry and ronchopathy", a simulation practical laboratory, 5 surgical blocks and 60 beds with modern medical equipment;

- creation of a scientific laboratory "Problems of diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of hearing impairment" in the Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Medical Center for Pediatrics;

- equipping the Multidisciplinary Clinic of the Tashkent Medical Academy and the Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Medical Center for Pediatrics with modern medical equipment.

From 1 September 2023, the Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Medical Center for Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Diseases with the status of a legal entity is being created.

The Center operates on the basis of the "Center - regional medical institutions - district (city) medical institutions" system. Its main tasks:

- provision of specialized medical care in the field of otorhinolaryngological diseases and diseases of the head and neck;

- training and development of skills of specialists, the formation of a scientific school in this direction;

- introduction into practice of modern methods of diagnosis and treatment of otorhinolaryngological diseases and diseases of the head and neck, as well as expanding the coverage of high-tech operations in the regions;

- putting into practice a program for the prevention, early detection and treatment of otorhinolaryngological diseases and diseases of the head and neck in primary health care institutions of the healthcare system.

Since the 2024/2025 academic year, the Center has been organizing the training of medical personnel in the specialty "otorhinolaryngology" through clinical residency.

The Center and its regional branches operate as a clinical base of the relevant departments of higher, professional and secondary specialized medical educational institutions.

Sources of funding for the Center:

- funds allocated from the State budget;

- grants within the framework of the implementation of state programs of scientific activity;

- funds received from the provision of paid services;

- other sources not prohibited by legislative acts.

From 1 January 2024, the Center is subject to the procedure for financing specialized institutions for the treatment of a privileged category of persons at basic prices on the basis of agreements concluded with the State Medical Insurance Fund, in accordance with Presidential Decree No. PP-5199 dated June 28, 2021 “On measures to further improvement of the system of specialized medical care in the healthcare sector”.

From 1 January 2024, non-governmental medical organizations are allowed to provide medical services in the field of otorhinolaryngology and maxillofacial surgery for a privileged category of persons at the expense of the State budget.